Position: Professor for Computational Systems Virology, Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg
Research focus: Herpesviruses, gene regulation in infected cells, cryptic MHC-I epitopes
What do you love about viruses?
Viruses are experts in molecular cell biology and they can teach us about it.
On what topic could you give a 30-minute presentation without any preparation?
Statistical methods and applications of metabolic RNA labeling.
What is your favourite way to spend a day off?
With my family.
What are you currently learning?
To play the 3rd movement of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata on the piano.
If you could create a new invention, what would it be?
A device that can quantitatively and accurately measure each biomolecule in many single cells over time. Or an iron man suit.
What do people think about you that isn’t true?
The more computational persons: That I ”only” do applied research to pursue biological questions. The more wet-lab biologists: That my research is focused ”only” on computational approaches.
Which scientific topic (outside of your field of research) do you think should have more scientific attention?
Emerging viruses beyond SARS-CoV-2.
If you were completely free to choose a scientific topic to work on, which would it be?
Viruses 🙂
If you had the option to advise a younger version of yourself, what would that be?
As a student: Visit more lectures on immunology and cell biology. And buy Amazon stocks.